Identity Formation and General and Cancer-specific Functioning in Adolescent and Emerging Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Longitudinal Study into Directionality of Effects

Abstract

Abstract Background Adolescent and emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer generally adjust well psychologically similar to their peers. Nevertheless, some survivors are at greater risk for developing psychological and physical difficulties. To shed light on the psychosocial functioning of adolescent and emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer, personal identity formation and its interplay with general and cancer-specific functioning need to be investigated. Purpose To examine the longitudinal associations linking identity formation to general and cancer-specific functioning in adolescent and emerging adult childhood cancer survivors using three-wave data over a 2-year period. Methods Dutch-speaking survivors (at baseline: n = 125; 53% female; age range: 14–25 years) treated at the pediatric oncology department of the University Hospitals Leuven (Belgium), completed self-report questionnaires at three annual timepoints. Directionality of effects and correlated changes were examined using cross-lagged structural equation modeling. Results Regarding general functioning, bidirectional effects occurred. Life satisfaction positively predicted identity synthesis and both life satisfaction and good physical functioning negatively predicted identity confusion over time. Identity synthesis, in turn, positively predicted life satisfaction and identity confusion negatively predicted good physical functioning over time. Regarding cancer-specific functioning, mainly unidirectional effects occurred. Post-traumatic stress symptoms negatively predicted identity synthesis and positively predicted identity confusion over time, whereas the reverse pattern of associations was found for benefit finding. Several correlated changes were found linking identity formation and psychosocial functioning as well. Conclusions The present study uncovered clinically meaningful pathways linking identity formation to psychosocial functioning over time in adolescents and emerging adults who survived childhood cancer.